LAKELAND, Fla. — Jordy Mercer did not see many familiar faces a month ago when he first checked into Detroit Tigers spring training camp, but he did recognize Jim Leyland, the former Pirates manager who now is a special assistant with the Tigers.

Mercer spent most of the past seven seasons as the Pirates’ starting shortstop. His tenure included the club’s best three-year stretch since Leyland guided the Pirates to division titles in 1990 through 1992 — something that Leyland mentioned a few days ago during a chat with Mercer.

“Man, you guys had some really good teams in 2013, ’14 and ’15,” Leyland said. “But you were just missing a couple of pieces.”

Leyland’s comment stuck with Mercer. He still was mulling it on Saturday, when he played against the Pirates for the first time in a Grapefruit League game.

“It makes you wonder where would’ve been if we would’ve just added another piece,” Mercer said. “Who knows what...